Our Masonic Contemporaries.

copious body of words and meanings than in any of the existing dictionaries , and several remarkable features . On tlie Grammar and the Dictionary , the results of nearly a quarter of a century's researches ancl labours were brought to bear , but they have been only partially applied . Among the other subjects which engaged

Bro . Clarke ' s attention , were dictionaries of Dutch , Welch , and Maori , or New Zealand—additions to the Anglo-Saxon , Spanish , and Turkish dictionaries—a Portuguese grammar—and collections on English etymology . Closely connected with these researches on the English language have been those on English history , particularly

the Roman and the Anglo-Saxon period . On these subjects extensive materials have been collected , but as yet only preliminary essays have appeared . In a series of papers in THE PHEEJIASOI-C ' S MAGAZIXE , 1857-8 , are given the ' elements of his discoveries in that obscure portion of the national history , between the decline of

the Romans and tlie establishment of the English or Anglo-Saxons , and of which have been published separately a treatise on tlie application of "Topographical Nomenclature to historical researches , " the first portion of a work on "English Clan Names , " ancl an essay on the term " Cold Harbour . " Following out on a large scale the system which Augustus Yon Humboldt and other German philologists

have applied on a limited scale to the Iberians , Etruscans , and Phoenicians , Bro . Hyde Clarice has brought to bear a discussion and classification of the names of places of Anglo-Saxon origin in Britain , something like a quarter of a million in number , to determine the ethnological and historical relations of the epoch at which they were named . Thistoothrows an important light on the

, , Romano-Germanic period , aud a most obscure portion of Germanic history . We may incidentally mention as among tlie results of Bro . Hyde Clarke ' s historical researches , the indentification ofthe Varini of Tacitus with the Yaregs of Russia , * one ofthe most remarkable historical restorations ,

ranking , perhaps , next to the identiiication of the Ossetinians , and the confirmation snd extension of W . Yon Humboldt ' s theory as to the existence of the Iberians in Britain . A very interesting correction is that of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ancl Alfred's Bede as to the extinction of tlie Angles in Jutland in the ninth century . A minor labour , which , however , attracted more attention , was the establishment of Milton ' s Ancestry , published in 1859 .- r

These various labours have not prevented a very active participation in the cause of charity and in institutions for the promotion of science and education , In these duties he was earl y initiated by his father , a friend ancl coadjutor of Brougham , Erskine , Lushington , ancl Mrs . Pry , and he became a co-operator with Sir Thos . Wyse

and Mr . Ewart in their educational labours , particularly for the promotion of art education . He was for some time the Honorary Secretary of the Society for Promoting Practical Designs , ! which obtained for the workingclasses cheap art education . He also presented to Lord John Russell the memorial of artists for throwing open

Hampton Court Palace , which was coueeded . Before this Society he gave many lectures , ancl for yeai * s he was ever read y to promote a new or struggling literary or mechanic ' s institution by giving a gratuitous lecture or contributing to its library . Many of these lectures are published . He was an active promoter of theRoyalBotanic Gardens in the Regent ' s Parle , and a Member of the

Council for twenty years ; and took a zealous part in the foundation of the Geologist ' s Association . On being chosen a Yice-President of the last named institution , he delivered an address On Geological Surveys , which has been published , In conjunction with the late G . T . Lay and Richard Taylor , he made an effort in 1840 to establish a Philological Society-which failed ; but a later attempt

, by other parties has proved successful ; and , at the present time , a deep interest is felt in philological science . With Sir Thomas Wye , he published apian about the same time for an English Historical Gallery , but the Government of the clay declined to afford it countenance . The extensive course of study pursued by Bro . Hyde

Clarke , as already observed , was not of an excursive character , but systematically conducted . Itorginated in the wish of his father to give him a sound political education , at a period when he 'had the prospect of entering parliament and of following a political career . Having laid clown a regular course , he followed it for

many years , adopting other pursuits merel y as subsidiary , and his occupations have been the result or application of these studies , and in some cases their extension . Thus , his attainments as a linguist and philologist have been the consequence of a liberal study of the ancient and modern languagesand his

engage-, ment in engineering pursuits have resulted from the application of his military acquirements . At the same time these occupations have been followed out in an independent spirit , and his literary and political measures have been accomplished chiefly hy his own means . While he followed many objects for his own individual

purposes as a student , and his own personal gratification , so he has pursued , others without reference to his own views , and without regard to individual advantage . In other cases as in the measure of Indian Colonization , having a distinct object to achieve , he has pursued it with determination as a public duty .

With these incidents the Masonic career of Bro . Hyde Clarke is appropriately connected . Being the son of a distinguished Mason , he was earlier than the accustomed age in this country admitted to the order by dispensation . On account of his attainments and personal qualitiesho was likewise early advanced to the rank of

, S . P . R . -J I , under the Grand Orient of Prance , and in special consideration of the services he had alread y rendered to Masonry , was promoted by the Supreme Grand Council of the 33 ° in Prance to the 32 ° . His cultivation of Masonic literature , and his exertions in

entending Masonry , in maintaining it against persecution , and in promoting its charities , as well as the desire of the authorities to encourage a distinguished scholar , led to these unusual promotions . He had the equal good fortune to be received into the Order of Templars , under the G . M ., Sir Sydney Smith , to be advanced to the rank

of Commander , and at a later date to that of Grand Prior . His active occupations did not prevent him from attending to serious duties in working the Craft and higher degrees , and allied rites but , he continued to devote greater attention to Continental than to English Masonry until of late years , although earlinvited to

y take a distinguised position by the late Duke of Sussex , as a friend of his father ' s . The duties he was engaged in , however , induced him to delay participating in working at home ; but of late years lie has been enabled to devote more time to Masonic literature and working . He is a member of

No . 32 , St . Albans Lodge , of London ; and of No . 91 , Loclge of Preedom , of Gravesend ; of the Metropolitan Chapter of R . > J <; and of the Grand Consistory of London , being now the senior member of the 32 ° in this